How are you doing with prayer and journaling? It’s been tough a few nights for us. Either our son doesn’t want to sit still, our teen would prefer to be hiding in her bedroom, or our youngest is just itching to irritate her brother.

Granted there are nights when we sit as a family, I’m gritting my teeth because I would already like to be at the end of our bedtime routine. AT.THE.END. There are nights when I can’t stand the idea of sitting at the table at the BEGINNING of our routine for the night.

Despite the soar jaw from gritting my teeth, the aching head from all the chaos and feeling drained as I summoned all the patience I could muster I know God is planting seeds. God is at work in their hearts reminding them (even if it’s just a nano-second) of a reminder) he is The Man. He is the one to give thanks, who gives joy, provides for their needs, and answers all prayers in one form or another.

In the mean time, I wanted to show you how I got started praying through God’s word for myself during quiet time. It’s one thing to throw up a popcorn prayer of “God, please….” and it’s another to use S.O.A.P. Soap enriches your prayer life, grows your spirit, centers you, and draws you closer to God.

Why S.O.A.P. ?

When you learn how to interact with scripture, it suddenly comes alive. It nourishes your spirit and the words jump off the page, mingling with your life–your dreams, your hurts, your worries. You see the power in God’s word. You are able to dig deep into scripture and “see” more than if you were to simply read a verse or two and move on with your day.

What is S.O.A.P.

S.O.A.P. stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. It is a way of getting more out of your time in God’s word. We did not invent it, we just decided to make a website to make it easier to do.

How to Journal with SOAP

(Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer)

Step 1: Locate the passages of scripture for today, whether you have a Bible Plan like or are reading through on your own.

Step 2: Ask God to show you what He would like you to focus on in today’s reading. Then read the passages with an open heart.

Step 3: When you find a verse or verses that you want to spend more time studying, open up to a fresh page in your journal.

Step 4: Write today’s date and the location of the verse(s)

Step 5: Write the letter ’S’ (Scripture) on the side of the page and then write out the verse(s) in your journal.

Step 6: Write the letter ’O’ (Observation) on the side of the page and then write what you notice about the Scripture.

Step 7: Write the letter ’A’ (Application) on the side of the page and then write how you will apply what you’ve just read.

Step 8: Write the letter ’P’ (Prayer) on the side of the page and write a prayer to God based on what you’ve just studied.

Step 9: When you finish writing, go back and give your journal entry a title to help you remember what it is all about. Then turn to your table of contents and write your journal entry date, Scripture, topic and title.

How I S.O.A.P.

S. Scripture

Psalm 66: 16- 20.

Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!

O. Observation

God hears my prayers

He cherishes my heart because I cherish him instead of my old ways

The lord loves praise.

Praise is contagious.

Praise tells of the wonders and mysteries of God, it ignites the hearts of men

The Lord listens when we praise

A. Application

Praising God creates a happy heart. When we praise him, suddenly our worst moments don’t seem so bad. We can find the good that comes with the bitter. It reminds me of how when I came to Christ, he took all the bad and perfected it for his good and now I get to have the humbling honor of telling other mammas about Jesus. I get to shout from the roof tops all the good he has done for me, even in my darkest moments. What I love about sharing Jesus’ word is how it changes lives. If he can change the heart of one mom, he can reach a whole family through her—WOW! Thank you, Father God!

I will praise you all the days of my life. Let the bitter come with the sweet.

P. Pray

Father, thank you for this time today. Lord let me always have praises for you at the tip of my tongue. Help me to continually turn towards you, especially when my old ways of life tempt me when I least expect it. Lord when I tell of your ways, soften the hearts of mammas so they can hear YOU and open their hearts to wonder at your mystery–and to want to know you deeper. Thank you, Lord for this time. Amen.

Now if you would like a printable SOAP Card to get your started journaling:SOAP PRINTABLEor if you have a notebook and would like a bookmark:SOAP Book Mark.